The score was somehow at half-time when France should have been away and clear, only for a succession of dropped balls to keep England in the hunt. England, however, who faded so often when losing seven games in a row against Tier One opposition over the last year, found a new energy and replacement Daly blasted through for their fourth try at the death. Relive all the action from Allianz Stadium, Twickenham in our live blog below:.
Steve Borthwick's side had suffered seven defeats in their last nine games but grabbed a vital win. Seven times this likeable side had toiled to no avail against top-tier opposition over the last year, seven times coming close but not close enough. But no longer. This was a win that defied pre-match logic and, in truth, in-match flow, the full-time whistle greeted by an outpouring of emotion befitting a win of some magnitude.
One wonders how the Twickenham crowd will cope when they finally see a straightforward Six Nations contest. This was brilliant and baffling in just about equal measure, far from ideal conditions somehow managing to enrich rather than ruin what appeared a one-sided fixture on paper.
An error-prone France appeared to have conjured enough magic to win the game thrice, only for England β yes, this England β to land an improbable knockout blow. England find long-awaited answer to stun France and end year of hurt. Today, we managed to push the extra pass at the end.
I am really pleased for the players to get the win. Everyone wants that tangible reward to show that progress has been made.
